Latest news

British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) Response to the Knighthood of Salman Rushdie

18/06/2007

bmsd acknowledges the fact that Salman Rushdie has been knighted for his overall contribution to literature, and not specifically for his book Satanic Verses, which has become the focal point for protests and a source of disappointment for certain Muslim groups and foreign governments.

bmsd believes that although Salman Rushdie continues to be a controversial figure amongst the wider Muslim world due to his views about Muslims, Islam as well as Christianity, the decision to honour him is a domestic issue and any demands for the title to be withdrawn by foreign governments is uncalled for and deemed as interference in British internal affairs.

Dr Shaaz Mahboob of bmsd said we are seriously concerned following the remarks by a senior minister in Pakistani government which imply that acts of terrorism in retaliation to the knighthood would be justified. This clearly amounts to condoning extremism and inciting violence against British interests, which is deplorable by any standards of international diplomacy and civility?